I think that you def need to try and find some people who have studied through them as I know of a girl who studied at our local TAFE (and yes it was cheaper and I am paying) but the level of attention she has received from her teacher who she is supposed to be with for two whole days a week is much less than what i received from my educator who I am mainly in contact with via phone and email. The certificates may be the same, but the level of skill of the teacher may be a lot different which will affect what you learn.